Early modern human

Early modern humans were Homo sapiens populations with broadly modern anatomy, living during the emergence and early spread of our species. Their fossils document variation and change rather than a single uniform transition.

Connect

Jebel Irhoud: A Moroccan fossil site whose Homo sapiens remains date to about 300,000 years ago. Its fossils show early Homo sapiens anatomy in North Africa far earlier than once expected.
Homo sapiens: The living human species, including all anatomically modern humans and their extinct populations. Early modern humans are ancient populations within this species.
Anatomically modern human: A Homo sapiens individual whose skeletal anatomy falls within the range characteristic of living humans. The label describes the anatomical comparison behind many classifications of early fossils.
Neanderthal admixture: The genetic contribution of Neanderthals to later Homo sapiens populations through interbreeding. Some early populations moving into Eurasia encountered Neanderthals and exchanged genes.
Pan-African origin of Homo sapiens: A model in which Homo sapiens emerged through connected populations across multiple regions of Africa. It offers an alternative to a single birthplace for the varied early fossil record.
Omo remains: Homo sapiens fossils from Ethiopia’s Omo Kibish Formation, including the specimen known as Omo I. Omo I preserves clearly modern anatomy in eastern Africa by at least 230,000 years ago.
African origin of modern humans: The explanation that Homo sapiens evolved in Africa before spreading to other continents. The earliest widely accepted fossils and deepest genetic diversity point to African origins.
Human evolution: The evolutionary history of humans and their ancestors, shaped by biological change and branching populations. Early modern humans represent one phase in a branching history, not a simple ladder of progress.
Denisovan admixture: The genetic contribution of Denisovans to later human populations through interbreeding. Early dispersals into Asia brought Homo sapiens into contact with Denisovan populations.
Homo sapiens taxonomy: The classification of fossil and living populations within the species Homo sapiens. Researchers disagree over how much anatomical difference warrants naming distinct early human groups.